Eye testing apparatus



y 3- J. D. LARKIN, 3D

EYE TESTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 15, 1931 Patented July 5,1933" 1,919,791

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE: f

JPHN D. iv: jjlfAltATlI: 03K

Application filed January 15, 1931. Serial No. 508,952.

This invention relates to improvements in In accordance with the embodiment. of my apparatus for use in connection with testinvention shown in the acoompanyingdrawing eye sight, such, for example, as appamg, I employ a neon tube Amounted on a ratus for use in connection with 'hyperopic disk or other supporting member B, ad ust- I 5 astigmatism tests. 7 able about its axis relatively to a standard 55 The objects of this invention are to proor support C. V i vide an apparatus of this-kind, in which he neon tube'may beof any suitable or light is passed through narrow slits to the desired form, that-shown having the two person whose eyes are being testechand to usual enlarged ends 6 and 7 to wh1ch else- 10 place these slits into different angular potrio current may beconducted in any Sl11t- 60 sitions to determine the angle at which the able or desired manner. The tube shown slits can be seen most clearly; also to pro- 1s shaped or bent to provide two parallel vide an apparatus of this kind, in which a straight parts 8 and 9 extendingaoross the strong artificial li ht may b a ed front face of the dlsk B, which 1s of opaque 15 th gh a narrow lit lit hi h li ht material, and preferably black on its front is more readily visible than indirectly i1- face. The enlarged ends of the tube vare luminated lines of contrasting color herer ng at the rear face of the disk, and t f d; l t id apparatus the opposite ends of the-two stra1ght parts f thi ki d i hi h th n l p iti n 8 and 9 may be connected at the back of the V of the lines of n' ay be accurately de- CllSk a portion Of tllbfi. HlQLllS 0 termined to enable an oculist to make the Ofthisarmngemenb y two straight'paftsi v necessary correction for astigmatism; also of the tube are visible at the frontface of to improve apparatus of this kind in other the (1181911v Thistube may be suitably seg t hg i ft ifi d. cured on tl16'Cl1Sk by any desired. means In apparatus of thistype, as heretofore (n w 711116 1160s be f rmS aused, the testing of the eyes for astigma- Y y convenlnt and Q Y Source f ti h generally b d b means f light for use my connection wlth my appablack lines on a white background; Perm y a it is g ith p001- i i if fl fi d it bfnot intended to l mit this lnvention to use fi lt t see .th li so th t th t t wlthsneon tubes, since other sources of light s t b d ith h accuracy, d may be used 111 connect1on w1th :my appaons extremely poor vision, so netin' e I'atus. W111 also be undeltst od that are entirely unable to see these lines. I neon t ay be bent into different shapes. have found that bypassing light through yy h llght from the l long narrow slits, these slits can be seen by Source 15 Passed through narrow slits m 5 persons of extremelypoor vision, who can- Observer P Whose y are being not see black lines on a whitebackground, tested, these Shts m y be Provided and also thatby passing light through these y sulmble 111111111617 Particular slits more accurate tests for astigmatism can PP 'F l r t in the drawing, and 40 be lnade in the case of, persons f f i -1 which it 'wlll be understood embodies only '9 good vision, and some forms of artificial one o of y 5Y1Yentim1, t 116011 tube is light, such for example as neon light, which, Coated COVelf W ll all opaque Substance, h passed th u h narrow slit 'b which is preferably black, and at the front seen b Persons h are l t bu ch faces of the two straight parts 8 and f the 45 In th o n i d i .tubes, the opaque-covering is provided withl 1 is a front elevation of an eye test- HELI'IOW Slll/S bhIOllgh \VhlCll flOIll the i apparatus bodying thi inv ntion; tube may pass. By means of this arrange ig. 2 is a sideele'vation thereof, partly ment, only two narrow, thin lines of light in sectlon; are visible at the front of the apparatus, but

50 Fig. 31s a fragmentary top plan View. it will be understood that one or more than two of such lines may be provided, if desired.

The disk B may be rotatably mounted on the standard or support 0 in any suitable or desired manner. In the construction shown, this disk has a central stud or shaft extending rearwardly therefrom and journalled in bearing lugs 14 formed on the standard C, a screw 15 being shown for se- 7 relation about its axis, and for holding the disk in adjusted position. In. the particular constructon shown, the sleeve 16 is provided with a gear 19 which maybe either formed integral therewith or secured thereto and connectedwith the stud 'by a set screw 20. This gear meshes with a pinion 21 suitably secured on a stem or short shaft which is journalled in a bearing lug 22 formed on the standard C. The pinion 21 may be rotated in any suitable manner for example by means of a knurled knob or hand wheel 24, so that by turning'the knob .24, the disk B may be turned into different angular positions. Any other means for turning the disk B may be employed, or if desired, the adjusting means may be dis pensed with and the disk turned into different positions by hand.

It is also desirable to provide the eye testing apparatus with means for accurately determining the angle at which the slits 11 are set. F or this purpose, the disk may register.

be provided at its outer edge with arealwardly extending flange 27, which is graduated in degrees. Any suitable fixed or stationary indicator cooperating with the graduations. on the flange of the disk B may be provided. For example, the indicator may be in the form of a transparent plate 28 having a hair line 30 thereon with which the The stationary indicator 28 may be mounted in fixed relation to the disk inany suitable or desired manner, and in the particular construction illustrated, this indicator is mounted on thc'upper portion of a housing or frame plate 31 suitably secured to the base 17. Preferably, this plate has a circular opening 32 therein through which the front face of the disk and the illuminated slits may be seen, the opening 32 being preferably smaller than the diameter of the disk B, so that the edge portions of the disk are concealed.

Electricitymay be conducted to the neon graduations on the disk B may tubes or other light source in any suitable or desired manner. In the particular construction shown, 33 represents a transformer of the kind commonly employed in connection with neon tubes, this transformer being shown mounted on the base 17 and current may be conducted to the transformer through a suitable socket 34 cooperating with a detachable plug 35 having conductors 36 for connection with an ordinary alternated current house lighting circuit.

The secondary circuit of the transformer includes the usual conductors 38 and 39 which in turn connect with spring contact members orbrushes 40 and 41 respectively which are supported on the standard C and insulated therefrom and from each other. These spring contacts or brushes contact with a pair of rings 42 and 43 respectively which are suitably mounted on the disk B, preferably on insulating blocks 44 secured to the disk. The enlarged ends of the tubes are connected to the conducting rings 42 and 43 in the usual manner by means ofconductors or'wires 45 and 46, the conductor 45 preferably passing to the ring 42 through the space between the ring 43 and the disk B. By means of this arrangement, the disk may be turned to any desired angular position without interfering with the electric connections to the neon tubes. Any other reasons for connecting the neon tubes or other light source with the electric circuit may, however, be employed.

If desired, the rear portion of the apparatus may be located in a suitable housing or enclosure 48, the front edges of which preferably interfit with the rear edges of the housing member or frame plate 31. The' housing member 48 may be secured to the apparatus in any suitable or desired manner, for example, by means of a screw 49 attached to the standard C and the housing may also be provided with openings or apertures 50 and 51 therein which permit the removal of the housing without any interference. by the knurled knob 24 or the electric connecting plug 34.

In the use of .the device, the oculist turns-1 the disk B and the illuminated slits mounted thereon into various angular positions to determine the angle at which the astigmatism ofthe observer permits him to see the slits most correctly or clearly. The graduations on the edge or flange of the disk are so arranged that the angular relation of the slits can be correctly read through the indicator 28.

I claim as my invention:

1. An eye sight testing apparatus, including a disk mountedtto be adjusted about its axis, a light source in the form of a tube mounted on said disk and having a straight part extending across the front faceof said mounted on said disk and having a straight part extending across the front face of said disk and having its ends arranged at the rear of said disk, means for partially covering said straight portion of said tube to cause light to pass from said tube only through a narrow slit, and means on said disk for determining the angular position of the straight part of said tube.

3. In an eye sight testing apparatus, the combination of an illuminating device in the form of a tube, a disk on which said tube is mounted and which is pivoted to swing about its axis, said tube being secured to said disk to swing therewith and including a plurality of straight portions extending crosswise of the front face of said disk, all other portions of said tube being arranged in rear of said disk, means associated with said straight portions of said tube for admitting light therefrom only through narrow slits, and means for determining the angular positions of said straight portions of said tube.

4. An eye sight testing apparatus, including a disk having a dark surface and mounted to turn about a horizontal axis to various angles, and a neon light tube secured on said disk and having two straight lengths thereof extending crosswise of said disk, said lengths being covered with opaque material having slits lengthwise thereof through each of which a fine line of lightmay be seen.

5. In an eyesight testing apparatus, a support, a transverse member at the front thereof, a transverse, elongate tube mounted upon the face thereof so as to be disposed crosswise of the line of sight of a patient, opaque material applied to said tube so as to leave only a fine, elongate unobscured slit at the front and extending lengthwise of said tube, and an electrically illuminated gas in said tube which by reason of its contact with the walls thereof, provides an intense line of light through said slit at the surface of' said tube, the rays from which pass directly to the eyes of the patient. 

